Fochriw, from Bargoed to Dowlais Top however, the last train in the evening, being the 22.56 collier's, was stabled in Dowlais Central for its return journey as the first collier's train the following day.

The Traffic and Works Committee minutes of the 28 May 1896 meeting reported that the proposed colliery opening below Fochriw was at present in abeyance. (TO BE INVESTIGATED)

Some goods trains required 3 engines in the front and 2 at the rear.

Dowlais Central stabled two 56XX engines whose "targets" were U1 & U2 when used for freight services

The direction of travel was opposite to the GWR convention of UP/DOWN meaning in the direction of/away from Paddington, due to the topography of the land, Up meaning up the valley and vice versa.

Weather conditions were often very severe in winter, which caused the occasional blocking of the line by snowdrifts. During the winter of 1947 this was so severe that an experiment was tried to clear the snow by mounting jet engines on a truck and using the exhaust to melt the snow. However, the heat was so intense, and the force of the blast so great, that it resulted in sleepers being burnt and the ballast being blow from the track bed.

The longest train to leave Fochriw was the annual Combined Sunday Schools train to Barry Island which was double-headed by class 56xx engines, the second engine being taken on and dropped off at Ystrad Mynach. The rake of carriages was so long, about 12/13 coaches, that its entire length could not be accommodated in the passing loop in the station and special safety procedures had to be taken in order for the 09.30 Brecon to Newport train to pass it.

Freight included coal from Ogilvie Colliery, tankers and occasional ammonia tanker traffic from the Ivor Works in Dowlais and military traffic to and from the barracks at Brecon.

Fochriw station sidings were used for coal deliveries for Cumpstones and sheep and cattle for Pentwyn Fair.

Every morning the "gangers" had to inspect the line between Fochriw and Deri and Fochriw and Dowlais Top and clear it suitable for traffic. A common problem was the theft of the wooden rail blocks for firewood.